11 March,2026 11:16 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jesse, Johnny and Jamie Lever
Veteran comedian and actor Johnny Lever's daughter Jamie Lever recently opened up about a challenging phase that the family went through when his son Jessey Lever was diagnosed with a tumour on the neck at the age of 10. She revealed how the diagnosis shook the family, adding that after an unsuccessful surgery, they spent nearly two years dealing with the tough phase before Jessey eventually recovered.
During a recent interview with Vickey Lalwani, Johnny Lever's daughter, Jamie Lever, recalled how the family coped with the situation. Jamie revealed Jesse was only around 10 to 12 years old when doctors discovered a tumour in his neck. She added that the situation was complicated because the tumour was wrapped around sensitive nerves, hence making surgery extremely risky.
Recalling how they realised the health issue, Jamie said, "He had a tumour when he was in school. At first, we didn't understand what it was, but then it became uncontrollable. It started making him uncomfortable. He even changed the way he dressed to hide the tumour. As a sister, I felt like I needed to protect him. We were in the same school, and I was always very protective of him."
In a different chat with Bollywood Hungama, she said, "Doctors told us that if they operated, he could lose his eyesight or become paralysed."
She further recalled how one surgery failed, after which the doctors attempted to manage the condition through heavy medication. "He was taking nearly 50-60 tablets a day at one point because doctors hoped the tumour would shrink," Jamie revealed.
Even after months of medication, the improvement was limited. It was then that the family decided to explore further treatment options outside India. The Lever family travelled to the United States to find a solution and consulted specialists in New York. After examining Jesse's condition, doctors recommended another surgery, which was successful this time and the tumour was removed, she stated.
Looking back, Jamie confesses that those years were emotionally exhausting for everyone. "Those were very tough times. We would never want to return to that lifestyle again," she says.
Jesse Lever has completely recovered and is now pursuing a creative career as a musician and performer.
